Nalesoni Tupou

The 2025 theme for Tonga Language Week is ‘Ko 'etau lea, ko e fe’unu mahu’inga ia ki he mo’ui ‘a e Tonga - Our language is a vital strand of our Tongan culture.’ In celebration of Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga, Tonga Language Week, we profile writer, editor and lawyer, Nalesoni Tupou and his 1977-1978 literary contribution to the Tāmaki Makaurau newspaper, Mana. Written in eight languages, the newspaper was a meeting place for many communities engaged in social justice and Māori and Pacific story sovereignty.

Dive into the archives with us by visiting the Mana: Protest in Print exhibition, currently open from Dec 2024 – Oct 2026.

Nalesoni Tupou, lea faka-Tonga editor for Mana.

Two of Nalesoni Tu‘inauvai Tupou’s grandfathers were lawyers, but it was an incident with a beer jug rather than family influence that convinced him to study law. During graduation celebrations for his Bachelor of Arts degree, Nalesoni was arrested by heavy-handed police and charged with stealing a beer jug. He defended the charge and decided to go to law school.

Nalesoni was born in Tonga and educated in West Auckland. He spent time overseas – a stint in the navy as a radar plotter and in London with the Bank of New Zealand – but was back in Ponsonby in the mid-1970s, when he became the Tongan editor for Mana.

_{Illustration by India Taberner, based on a photograph courtesy of Nalesoni Tupou}

Below, Nalesoni Tupou generously shares his experience as lea faka-Tonga editor for Mana.

We are grateful to have had the opportunity to speak with Nalesoni, among other members of the Mana newspaper community, including editors, their friends, and whānau. These interviews are played in gallery, and are available in full on this page.

News in Tonga article from Mana Newspaper

Na’e fa’u ‘a e tohí ni ‘i he lea faka-Tongá ‘e Nalesoni Tupou. Ko e fakahinohino ki he kau fakamo’oni ’i he fakamaau’angá. Na’e fa’u eni he fitungofulu tupú hili ‘a e kuonga fakapo’uli ‘oku ‘iloa ko e Dawn Raids.

Here, Nalesoni uses his legal knowledge to give advice to readers who may be called as witnesses in court. This article appeared during the Dawn Raids, a racist policing tactic that targeted Tongans and other Pacific peoples.

Nalesoni Tupou, lea faka-Tonga editor for Mana.

Below, Nalesoni Tupou generously shares his experience as lea faka-Tonga editor for Mana.

Read more of Nalesoni Tupou's articles